21 November 2009 saw the DFP debut of Dong-Hyek Lim in Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2. A famous protégé of Martha Argerich under the EMI CD label ("Martha Argerich Presents"), he is well known in the concert circuit and has played concerts with Dutoit, Temirkanov, Masur and Ashkenazy.
This piano concerto is a difficult one to bring off. In so many ways, it is different from the war-horse concertos (like Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky). Its difficulty is in the florid writing and rubato timing that is essential for a fine performance. The pianist's rhythm has to be immaculate and yet this Chopin concerto needs an improvisatory feel to it.
In this aspect, Dong-Hyek Lim satisfied the audience fully. Technically, he was up to the challenges of the concerto. With time, he will improve and have something unique to say in future. Claus Peter Flor and the MPO accompanied him respectfully and musically.
The concert began with Mozart's The Magic Flute Overture - a fine and swift rendition with superb flute solos. After the interval, Flor and the MPO gave a sleepy performance of Copland's Appalachian Spring. I find that Flor is a great conductor of the great classical masterpieces of the orchestral repertoire. But when he conducts lesser pieces, he seems to be at sea with them. In that manner, Riccardo Muti is a superb conductor who can elevate the most obscure piece to higher levels. Make no mistake, Claus Peter Flor is still a very fine conductor and has been the best music director that the MPO has had.
Flor and the MPO redeemed themselves with a superb rendition of Ravel's Bolero, with two side-drummers on either side of the conductor in front of the stage. This was excellently played and received rapturous applause.
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